Tractor plow



June23, 1931. J, TAYLOR TRACTOR PLOW Filed 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l June23, 1931. J H TAYLOR 1,811,733

TRACTOR PLOW Filed NOV. 19,. 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 23, 1931. JTAYLQR 1,811,733

TRACTOR PLOW Filed Nov. 19, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q Mi 3' wentoc IPatented June 23, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE rosnrn Ransom mnon,or arms, rm

' 'rnnoroa rnow Application tiled November 10, 1888. Serial Ho. 880,887.

This invention relates to improvements in plows.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a tractor plowin which the plow is connected to the rear of a tractor, in suchrelation that the same may be controlled with facility in an automaticrelation with the steering mechanism of the tractor. 1

A further object of this invention is the 10 provision of an improvedplow construction, adapted to be connected to a conventional tractor,such as the Fordson tractor, at the rear thereof, embodying animprovedconnection with the tractor.

A further object of this invention is the provision ofan improvedtractor plow emodying a low frame connected in a novel relation to t etractor so that the same may be shifted efficiently in a novel relationlaterally 10 of the longitudinal axis of the tractor.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improvedtractorplow havmg a novel and durable frame construction.

A further object of this invention is the l provision of an improvedtractor plow comprising a frame having means to connect the same at thefront thereof to a rear end of the tractor, and having a single heavilyweighted caster wheel at the rear end thereof. 80* A; further object ofthis invention is the provision of an improved tractor plow adapted tobe connected at the rear end of the tractor and embodying improvedcontrol means for elevating and lowering the rear end of the low. Afurther object of this invention is the rovision of an improved tractorplow emfiodying a novel assemblage of frame and operating details, andincluding a single rear supporting weighted caster wheel connected forautomatic steering with the steering gear of the vehicle to which it isattached. Other objects and advantages of this invention will be aparent during-the course of the following etailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andwherein simiafr reference characters designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views,

' Figure 1 is a plan view of a tractor, showing the improved tractorplow hitched thereto.

Figure 2 is a-side elevation of the improved plow, showing the samehitched to the tractor.

Figure 3is an op osite side elevation of the improved plow an itsconnection to the rear on of the tractor. r Figure 4 is a plan view ofthe plow, showmg its connection to the rear of the tractor, the viewdiffering from Figure 1 in the arrangement of steering mechanism for thecaster wheel of the plow.

Figures 5 and 6 are cross sectional views taken substantially on theirrespective lines in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Figure 7 is a front elevation of the plow supporting caster wheel andassociated sup-' porting and operating means of the plow.

Figure 8 is an enlarged view showing means for ad'ustably mounting ascraper blade on a plow isc of the improved plow.

Fi re 9 is a sectional view taken thru the detai s illustrated in Figure8.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only apreferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A maygeneralldesignate a tractor, which may comprise a c assis B havin front steeringand running gear C, and inc uding rear traction and running gear D. Theimproved plow E comprises a frame F, connected by means H to the frameof the tractor, with control means K for operating the frame Ftransversely with respect to the tractor A, for shifting the earthengaging elements G carried by the frame F. The frame F is supported atthe rear end thereof by a weighted caster wheel L mounted thereon. MeansN is provided to elevate and lower' the frame with respect to the casterwheel L for raising and lowering the lows G. Means M is provided forconnectm the caster wheel F for a steering action with the steering gearof the tractor A.

In the conventional tractor, the front running and steering gearincludes the steerin wheels 11 and 12 ivoted upon the ends 0' the frontaxle 13. o the steering arms thereof a tie rod 14 is connected, and thesteering gear furthermore includes a drag link 15 extending rearwardlyto a steering lever 16 suitably connected with a steering post and wheel17'.

The rear running and traction gear D, of course includes the tractionwheels 17 and 18 suitably connected upon a rear axle housin 19, andwhich housin includes a difi'erentia casing 20 having a raw bar oap 21placed thereon at the rear thereof, midway between the rear traction"heels 17 and 18. The draw bar cap 21 is of to usual formation, providedthereacross with a plurality of opemn s 23, for receiving couplings inany approve relation thereacross. The draw bar cap 21 is of courseattached to that part of the tractor which is best adapted to withstandstrains incident to the attachment of a plow, and

therefore it is desirable that the forces incident to plowing shall beplaced primarily thereon.

Referring to the frame F, the same 1ncludes a beam 25 which hassupporting brackets 27 and 28 connected at t e ends thereof in ri htangled relation therewith, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. Thesebrackets 27 and 28 are bifurcated at their free ends, as shown at 29 inFigure 2 of the drawings, and rollers 30 are rotatably supported on pins31 at the free ends of these brackets, for o crating on themeans H whichconnects t e frame F to the tractor. A plow beam 32 is.

provided, of heavy I-shaped cross section, comprising an elongatedstralght body portion 33, having an angled attaching foot 34 which isbolted at 35 to the right end of the cross beam 25, so that the ortion33 of the plow beam extends diagona ly rearwardly in acute angledrelation with respect to the beam 25. A brace beam 37 is connected atthe opposite end of the cross beam 25 from the plow beam 32, and thebrace beam 37 at 1ts other end is connected at 38 to the portion 33 ofthe plow beam 32 between the endsthereof as can be seen from Figures 1and .4.

The plow disc bracket arms 39 are bolted at 40 to the plow beam portion33, and these brackets extend rearwardly in acute angled relation withrespect to the plow beam portion 33, and rotatably support plow discs Gat the free ends thereof, with any approved construction. Due to thediagonal position of the beam portion 33 with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the tractor and the plow E, it

is'of course a parent that the plow discs G will low di erent furrows asthe tractor trave s forwardly. The rear end of the plow E is of coursesupported thru the caster wheel L and other frame details, to be subseuently mentioned.

eferring now to the means H which is used to connect the forward part ofthe plow E to the tractor A, the same includes a substantially U-shapedcoupling beam 45, including the body portion 46 having forwardlydiverging legs 48 at the ends thereof. The

1,s11,vaa

legs 48 are rovided with U-shaped clamp bolts 49 at t 1e ends thereoffor connection to the axle housing 19 of the tractor, in order that thebody portion 46 of the cou ling beam may be positioned transverse atright an Ice to the longitudinal axis 0 the tractor, ehind the axlehousing 19. The body portion 46 of the coupling beam 45 has a definiterelation with respect to the draw barca 21, by means of which the latterma take t 1e stram incident to plowing. To the end, a clamp block 50, ofmetal or other a proved material, is provided, adapted to e placed belowand in abutment with the draw ar cap 21, as shown in Figures 5 and 6 ofthe drawings. A supportin block 52 of T- shaped formation, is provi led,adapted to seat in the socket 53 formed in the draw bar cap 21, as shownin Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. The laterally projecting ends 55 ofthe block 52 seat on the upper surface of the draw bar ca 21, as shownin Fi re 6, and the lower re uced portion of the b ock 52 fits into thesocket 53. Pairs of ali ning passageways are provided in the bloc s 50and 52, for receiving clamping bolts 57, by means of which the blocksmay be connected at o posite sides of the draw bar cap 21. The lock 50is provided with a forwardly facing transverse socket or seat 60, adated to receive the body portion 46 of the coup ing beam 45, midwaybetween the ends thereof.

In assemblage, the U-shaped coupling beam 45 is received in the s acesat the bifurcated ends of the frame Brackets 27 and 28, and the rollers30 operate on the front edge of the body portion 46 of the couplingbeam, at o posite sides of the draw bar cap 21 as s own in Figure 1 ofthe drawings. lt is thus apparent that the frame F may be transverselymoved with res ect to the longitudinal axis of the tractor an plow, asthe rollers 30 move over and along the coupling beam body 46.Furthermore the draft is directly transmitted to the draw bar capincident to its coupled connection of the coupling beam at oppositesides'of the draw bar cap.

Referring to the means K for controlling the lateral shift of the frameF u on the means H, by which it is connecte to the tractor, an extensionclip is connected to an end of the beam 25, preferably by the same boltmeans 66 which is used to connect the attaching bracket 28 thereto, asshown in 1.

nouns:

furthermore includes w a toothed sector 78 clamped at -74 -upon the beam37, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. On the sector 73 an operatinlever 75 is ivoted at 76; the said operating ever inclu ing the usualpawl mechanism 77 for engagement with the teeth of the sector 73. To theoperating lever 75,

above the pivot 76 thereof, is pivotally con- K nected a rod-78, whichat the op osite end may reach rearwar ly and to the left and,

grasp the operating lever 75 for moving the same forwardly or rearwardlyon its pivot 76. Moving the lever 75 forwardly will cause the bell cranklever 68 to rock on 1ts pivot 69, and inasmuch as the one end of thebell crank lever 68 is connected to the connecting link 70, and thelatter is connected to the draw bar cap, it is a parent that the frame Fwill move to the ri lit; the rollers 30 slidmg along the couplin beam45. This permits the plow disc 41 to e positioned in different s acedrelations with respect to the longitudma axis of the tractor, forenablin a change in the width of a furrow cut. ThIS makes the plow idealfor rolly or hilly land. Of course the initial adjustment may be takencare of by placing the connecting link 70 1n any of the openin 23 of thedraw bar cap, and any lateral shi t is subsgguently taken up thru theoperating means as is readily apparent from the foregoing.

Referring to the support of the rear end of the tractor, a heavyweighted bracket is bolted at 91, see Figure 2, to the plow disc bracketarm 39, and it extends rearwardly,

and at the rear end thereof it is provided with a detachable bracket 93,connected at 94 thereto. The bracket 93 has a sleeve portion 94, shownin Figure 7 of the drawings, provided with a vertical passagewaytherethrough which vertically slidably and rotatably receives a casterwheel shaft 95 therethrough. The shaft 95 at the lower end thereof isprovided withthe angled spindle 96 which rotatably receives the welghtedcaster wheel L thereon. The caster-wheel L is a heavy iron wheel, whichtogether with the weighted bracket 90 is sufficient to hold the discplows into the ground for plowing purposes, and thus obviating thenecessity of using other weight means. The caster wheel L is relativelthick and beveled, and of course dispose in a plane inclined to thevertical when 9n the caster wheel shaft 95.

The operating means N for raising and lowering the frame upon the casterwheel shaft 95, preferably consists of a sector 100 bolted upon thebracket 93 above described,

to the rear of the shaft 95, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. Thesector 100 is a wopie'ce sector, having the upwardly and forwardlyfacing teet 101 thereon. This sector pivotally receives an operatinglever 104 thereon, being pivoted at 104 intermediate the ends thereof.The construction of the lever 104 with respect to its pivot is moreparticularly illustrated in Figure 3 of the rawings. Rigidly connectedin a detachable relation upon the top of the shaft 95, above the sleeve94, is a bracket 107, connected in a T-shapd relation on the top of theshaft 95, and atone side of the shaft 95 is an offset 108 to which the uper end of a connecting and supporting lin 109 of the 0 erating means Nis connected, as shown in i ure 3' of the drawings, and also in FigureThis connecting link 109 is pivotally supported in a cli 110 on theoffset 108.; The connecting lin 109 at its lower end is pivoted at 111on the lever 104 at one end thereof. The lever 104 at the o osite sideof the pivot 104" has a handle amfliand operated pawl means 115,operating on the teeth 101 of. the sector 100, in usual manner, Theparts of the operating lever 104 at opposite sides of its pivot axis 104are not in exact alignment, but in slight angular relation, less than180. This is for the purpose of efficiently receiving a powerful spiralspring 117, connected at one end at 118 to the sector 100, as shown inFigure 3 of the drawings, and at its op site end being connected by aclip 119 to the ever arm 104 adjacent the pivot connection 111 of thelink 109.

In operation, to raise and lower the rear end of the plow frame so as toraise and lower the plow discs with respect to the ground, it is merelynecessary for the operator from the seat on the tractor to reachrearwardly and grasp the lever 104, open the pawl thereof, and lower orelevate the same. If it is desired to elevate the plow members G it-isnecessary for the operator to push rearwardly on the lever 104. Thisthrows the rear end of the lever to which the link 109 is connecteddownwardly, and ulls the frame F upwardly, it being remem ered that thecaster wheel is resting on the round and that the frame slides upwardlyt rough its sleeve 94 on the shaft 95. The spring 117 is of course underexpansion and assists the operator in lifting the frame, inasmuch as thespring is connected to the stationary sector 100 at one end ing thisaction; the said expansion storing up ener y in the spring which willlater permlt the rams to be raised without excessive exertion upon thepart of the operator.

The caster wheel L is automatically turned, to steer the rear end of theplow as an incident of steering of the tractor A. To this end, asshownin Figured of the drawings, an arm 120 is rigidly connected with thebracket 107 on the top of the shaft 95, at the opposite side of saidshaft from the offset 108. This steering arm 120 at its free end ispivoted at 121 with a forwardly extending connectin" rod 122, which asshown in Figure 1 of the rawings, is clamped at 123 to the drag link 15of the steering gear of the tractor, intermediate the ends of said draglink.

The operation of the tractor will be apparent from the foregoing. It isautomatically steered by the means M to keep the plow discs in properalignment wit the tractor at all times, under all conditions, making itpossible to back into corners, and also turn square corners if desired.The shifting device and connection'of the low with the tractor permitsthe lateral shiftin of the plow upon the rear of the tractor, an makesit instantly possible to shift the low as conditions demand, to vary thewidt of cut and the like. The three oint suspension at the coupling beamma (es a very rigid hitch for the plow frame, and at the same timeplaces the strain on the draw bar cap, and that part of the tractorwhich is designed to take the most strain. The 0 rating lever forraising and lowering the p ow discs is easily accessible to the operatorand makes it possible to elevate the discs to the proper level accordingto the inoperative or operative condition of the tractor.

Novel scraping means is provided for each of the discs G preferablincluding a bracket arm 124 connected to the plow bracket arm 39 at oneend and extending radially at the convex side and turned over towardsthe concave side of the disc, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawin s.These bracket arms 124 at the concave sldes of the plow discs G arerovided with scraping blades 125, supported oy adjustable means 126,more 1particularly detailed in Figures 8 and 9 o the drawings. Each ofthe scraping blades 125 has arigid sup orting post 128, shown n F gure3, anl t ese posts 128, as shown in Flgures 8 and 9 of the drawings, areconnected to the scraper blade supporting arms 124 by the means 126. Themeans 126 includes an eye bolt 130, 'provided with an eye 131 at one endthereof and at the opposite end being threaded at 132 and insertedthrough an opening 134 in the arm 124, to whlch 1t is clamped by boltmeans 135. A hollow.

frusto-conical member 136, thru which the eye bolt 130 is provided; saidfrusto-comcal member having its smaller end clamped against the'arm 124,and at its outer end periphery is provided with diametrically 01p posedgrooves 138, adapted to receive t e shaft or rod 128 of the scraperblade, as shown in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings. The post or rod 128is of course threaded thru the eye of the clamping bolt 130, and the adjustment of the latter on the supporting arm 124 clam s the supportingpost in the groove, to old the same in a esired adjusted position, toauge the scraping efiiciency of the edge of t e blade 125 w1th respectto the g lfiw discs G, as illustrated in Figure 3. us, as the plow discsand its scraping blade 125 becomes worn, the adjustment may be taken upby means 126 above described.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be madeto the form of invention herein shown and described, without departingfrom the spirit of this invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a tractor plow the combination of a tractor includin rear runningand traction gearing'inclu ing an axle housing and a draw bar caconnected therewith between its ends, a bite member connected at itsends to the axle housing and intermediate its ends having a coupledconnection with the draw bar cap, a plow frame, and means connecting theplow frame with the hitch member at opposite sides of the draw bar camovement along the hitch mem b oted vertical movement.

2. In a tractor plow the combination of a tractor including a rear axlehousing hav ing a draw bar cap attached therewith, a substantially U-shaed hitch coupling including an elongated bo y portion with transverselyturned legs, means connectin the le to the axle housin at o posite si esof t e draw bar cap, wit the body portion of the hitch couplingextending rearwardly of and substantially parallel with the axlehousing, said draw bar cap having an opening therethrough, a detachableclamp connected in said opening includin a socket receiving the bodyportion of sai coupling therein between its ends, a plow frame, andmeans slidably and pivotally connectin the plow frame to the body of thecoupling itch at opposite sides of the draw bar cap so that forcesincident to plowing will be directly transmitted to said draw bar cap.

3. In a tractor plow the combination of a tractor including rear runningand traction gearin having a draw bar cap attached therewith, a plowframe, means connecting the glow frame with the rear of the tractor so tat the plow frame may shift laterally er and pivfor sliding.

with respect to the tractor, a bell crank lever the other end of thebell crank lever so that upon movement thereof the frame may beshifted'laterally with respect to the tractor.

4. In a'tractor plow the combination of a tractor including a draw 'barcap, a plow frame, a soil engaging implement for the plow frame, meansconnecting the plow frame with the rear of the tractor for lateral shiftof the plow frame with respect to the tractor, an operating means tocause said lateral shift including a bell crank lever pivoted on theframe, a connecting rod pivoted to the bell crank lever at one end andto the draw bar cap at the other end, and means connected with theopposite end of the bell crank lever to cause a pivoted movement of thebell crank lever on its axis.

5. In a tractor plow the combination of a tractor including a draw barcap having a number of openings therealong, a plow frame, meansconnecting the plow frame with the rear of the tractor for lateral shiftof the plow frame with respect tothe tractor, a bell crank lever pivotedon the frame, a connecting rod pivoted with an end of the bell cranklever and having an end for adjustable pivoting in either of theopenings of the draw bar cap, an operatin lever pivoted on the frame,means to hold tl ie operating lever in different'positions on the frame,and a connecting rod pivoted with the operating lever and with the otherend of the bell crank lever.

6. In a tractor plow for attachment to tractors the combination of amain beam including a plow attaching body and an angled attaching piecein obtuse angular relation with respect thereto, a cross beam connectedto said attaching piece and extending parallel therewith and beyond theend at which the plow attaching portion is connected and disposed in anacute angled relation therewith, a brace beam connecting the end of thecross beam and main beam remote from the attaching portion of thelatter, means for attaching a soil engaging implement on the main beam,and detachable tractor attaching members connected at the ends of the Icross beam transverse thereto at the opposite side thereof from the mainbeam.

7 In a tractor plow the combination of a plow frame for attachment atits front end to a tractor, a caster wheel including an upright shaft,means slidably connecting the rear end of the frame for vertical slidingalong said shaft, an operating lever, means pivoting the operatin leverbetween its ends on the rear end of t 0 frame, the operating lever atone side of its pivot axis having an upwardly :extending handle and atthe opposite side having a downwardly extending portion, a connectinlink connecting said portion at its lower em? to the shaftat the upperend of the latter, a sector connected with the frame,

a pawl operable on the handle of the lever and said sector for holdingthe lever in any

